Electronic game and method for playing a game based upon removal and replacing symbols in the game matrix

ABSTRACT

Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is continuation of, claims priority to and the benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/400,680, filed on Jan. 6, 2017,which is continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/951,060, filed on Dec. 5, 2007, which isa divisional of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/073,884, filed on Mar. 7, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,357,713, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,870 filed on Aug. 27,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,962, which is claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/331,016filed onNov. 6, 2001, the entire contents of which are each incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic novelty and wagering gamehaving an electronic display, a controlling processor presenting a gamesymbol matrix where matching symbol combinations result in an award andthe symbols are removed and replaced. Awards are issued based upon theinitial wager and type of symbol combinations until there are nomatching symbol combinations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic games have become a popular form of entertainment. Thesegames may be casino, wagering type games where a player deposits moneyin the form of coins, gaming tokens or paper currency either into a coinacceptor-tester or bill acceptor (“the coin-in”). The coins and gamingtokens are collected in a reservoir inside the gaming machine (“thehopper”) while the paper currency is collected in the bill acceptorinside the gaming machine. If the coins, gaming tokens or paper currencyare validated as authentic, the player accrues the appropriate number ofplaying units (“credits”) on a credit meter on the gaming machinedepending on the denomination of the wager as set on the gaming machine.For example, a twenty-five cent gaming machine will accrue four creditsfor each dollar deposited into the gaming machine by way of the coinhead or the bill acceptor.

After accruing credits on the credit meter, the player determines howmany credits he wishes to wager on the next spin of the slot reels(“total bet”) and then spins the reels by pressing the spin button or bypulling a handle. When prompted by pushing a spin button or pulling ahandle, a controlling processor randomly selects and outcome andcontrols a display to display the outcome. The display may consist ofelectro-mechanical reels or a VRT or plasma display. In many modemmachines, the outcome is in the form of a 3×3 or 3×5 matrix of gamesymbols. The processor compares the outcome to determine if one or morepredetermined winning outcomes have been obtained. For each winningoutcome, which may be predetermined symbol combinations along anyenabled pay line for the machine or a set of predetermined scatteredsymbols, the processor issues an award to the player. After the awardbased upon the outcome of the spin has been issued based upon thedisplay of symbols, the player inputs another wager and prompts afurther spin.

In some slot machines, certain symbol combinations can trigger a bonusevent, such as a bonus screen through which the player can win anadditional award.

In another unrelated, prior art game referred to as “Bedazzled” andavailable for play as an amusement game on the Internet, there is acomputer generated matrix of game symbols, each randomly assigned into acoordinate of the matrix defined by horizontal rows and verticalcolumns. To play the game the player may, using a computer keyboard ormouse, exchange the positions of adjacent symbols in a horizontal row toobtain a set or sets of three or more like symbols in a horizontal rowor a vertical column. When a set is created, the computer controls thegame to issue the player an award of points based upon the symbolset(s), remove the matching set(s) from the display, shift the symbolsabove the removed set(s) downward into the positions of the removedsymbols and reconstitute the matrix by selecting and displayingreplacement symbols at the upper row of the matrix. The player continueswith the game for so long as sets can be assembled by exchange thepositions of horizontal adjacent symbols. By exchanging symbols theplayer can amass game points. The game progresses through certainscoring levels, with each successive scoring level becoming moredifficult by the addition of another group of symbols to the symbolpool.

A drawback of this game is that it is not a casino-type wagering gameand thus provides no mechanism by which a player may make a wager. Inthis regard the Bedazzled game is not configured to assign winningawards based upon player wagers to meet regulatory or commercialrequirements.

There is a need to provide players with an ever increasing number ofentertainment options in the form of new games.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new game in theform of a game matrix where awards are based upon and issued forobtaining predetermined winning outcomes of symbol sets, arranged forexample in adjacent same symbol sets such as horizontally, vertically,diagonally or in an L-shaped arrangement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game wherewinning outcome sets are removed from the matrix and are replaced tore-constitute the matrix and possibly define more winning outcome sets,still based upon the original wager.

It is another object to configure a game having the above objects whichcan meet gaming regulatory as well a commercial performance standards.

The present invention enables the casino to attract and retain playersinterested in playing an innovative slot game and the player enjoys anew method of receiving an award.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a device and method for playing a gamewherein a matrix of symbols is presented and the player is awarded basedupon matching sets of game symbols. According to other embodiments, theaward may include wild, multiplying or scatter symbol pays. The gameends, in one embodiment, when there are no more winning sets.

Accordingly in one aspect of the present invention there is set forth anelectronic game device for a player which includes a display, a gameprocessor and a data structure storing data representing a plurality ofgame symbols and data representing a predetermined award schedule forwinning outcome sets of symbols. A wager input apparatus is provided forthe player to input a wager corresponding to at least one symbol type toplay the game and prompt play of a hand of play of the game. Theprocessor is configured to, in response to prompting of play, (i)select, assign and control the display to display a selected game symbolinto each coordinate of a game matrix having columns C and rows R, whereC and R are at least 3, (ii) compare the symbols of the coordinates todetermine whether a predetermined number of like symbols are disposed inat least one predetermined winning pattern defining a winning outcomeset, e.g. vertically, horizontally or L-shaped adjacent sets of threelike symbol types (iii) if the wagered upon symbol type is arranged in apredetermined winning pattern to issue the predetermined award, (iv)remove the symbols of each winning outcome set from the display, (v)select, assign and display symbols to replace the removed symbols toreconstitute the game matrix and (vi) repeat steps (i) through (v) untilthere are no winning outcome sets.

Included in the data structure may be symbols designated as “wild” forat least one symbol type; multiplying symbols which if, for example, areincluded in a winning outcome set multiply the award; static symbolswhich cannot form winning outcome sets as well as scatter pay symbols.

A method for playing an electronic wagering game is also set forth whichincludes:

(A) providing an electronic display and a game computer processorstoring in a data structure data representing game symbol kinds and datarepresenting a predetermined award schedule for winning outcome sets ofa predetermined number of symbols arranged in adjacent relationships;

(B) the player making a wager to play the game, the processor (i)controlling the display to display a game matrix having C columns and Rrows where C and R are at least 3 and defining coordinates and (ii)selecting, assigning and displaying from the data structure a gamesymbol into each matrix coordinate;

(C) the processor (i) comparing the symbols of the matrix to theschedule to determine if any of the symbols are arranged to define atleast one winning outcome set S, (ii) for each determined set S theprocessor removing the winning outcome set S symbols from the displayand selecting and displaying additional symbols to reconstitute the gamematrix to have a game symbol for each coordinate, (iii) repeating steps(C)(i)-(C)(ii), and (iii) issuing an award to the player for eachwinning outcome set S according to the award schedule; and

(D) the processor concluding the game when it has determined there areno remaining winning outcome sets S.

The winning outcome sets may be a predetermined number of like symboltypes arranged in adjacent positions in the matrix. The method may alsoinclude providing scatter pay symbols and issuing an award based uponthe number of scatter pay symbols in the matrix, wild symbols,multiplier symbols and the like.

The device and method of the present invention provides a new game andmethod which provides the player with multiple wagering opportunities,multiple opportunities to win and a game where a player can continue towin over a series of displays as symbols for winning sets, are removedfrom the display and are replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will become appreciated as thesame becomes better understood with reference to the specification,claims and drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 illustrates a game deice according to the present inventionhaving a game display showing game symbols;

FIG. 2 shows a game display with game symbols for purposes ofillustration; and

FIG. 3 is a logic diagram for the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown a game apparatus 10 according to anembodiment of the present invention. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purpose or it may comprise a generalpurpose computer as selectively activated or reconfigured by a computerprogram stored in the computer. The procedures presented herein are notinherently related to a particular computer or other apparatus. Variousgeneral purpose machines may be used with programs written in accordancewith the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to constructmore specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. Therequired structure for a variety of these machines will appear from thedescription given.

The apparatus 10, shown embodied as an upright gaming device, has ahousing 12 which includes an upper portion 14 which may include graphicsand/or backlit panels to identify the game or to attract players andother information for the player. For example, the upper portion maydisplay the pay table for the game as hereinafter described. The housing12 is adapted to sit on a slot machine cabinet (not shown) or the like.At the bottom thereof the housing 12 mounts a tray 16 which capturescoins/tokens dispensed by the apparatus 10. The housing 12 also mountsand supports a game display 18 which may be an electro-mechanical reelset display or, more preferably, a video display.

Disposed within the housing, according to the present embodiment, is agame processor 20. As will hereinafter be described, the processor 20controls the various operations and play of the game according to thepresent invention.

The apparatus 10 may also include a token acceptor (not shown) of thetype known in the art and/or a cash validator 22 of known construction.Cash or script bills inserted into the validator 22 convert the cashvalue into a corresponding number of credits based upon thedenomination, e.g. 5¢, 25¢, $1.00, of the machine, as is known in theart. The processor 20 controls the display 18 to display at a creditmeter (not shown) the accumulated credits available for play of thegame. Thus the player can accumulate credits for play by inserting cashor script into the validator 22.

The apparatus 10 may also mount a player tracking module 24 to read aninstrument, such as a machine readable player tracking card (not shown)by which the play of the player at the apparatus 10 may be monitored forpurposes well known in the art.

To control play of the game as hereinafter described, data input andprompting apparatus are provided. As shown in FIG. 1 for this purposethe housing 12 mounts a plurality of control buttons 26 a-f. Button 26 ais provided for the player to select which game symbol(s) the playerwishes to wager upon. Button 26 b provides for the player to enter thedesired wager per selected symbol(s) in one unit increments between aminimum (1 unit/symbol) and a maximum (e.g. 5 units/symbol), althoughany suitable maximum number of symbols may be used. Button 26 c is aSpin Button to prompt play of the game, i.e. play a hand of the game,button 26 d is a Max Bet button whereby the player wagers on all symbolsto the maximum limit and simultaneously prompts play of a hand andbutton 26 e is a pay table button which, if depressed causes the display18 to display the pays and winning outcomes for the game. Finally button26 f is a “Help” button which, if depressed, causes the display todisplay the rules of the game and other information to help the player.These buttons may be embodied as suitable areas or locations on a touchscreen display 18 as well. Where the game is played with a personalcomputer such as a novelty game or an Internet game, the data inputapparatus may be a keyboard or mouse or other suitable input device.

To play the game, the player first enters credits by, for example,inserting a cash note in to the validator 22. The number of creditsavailable for play are displayed at an appropriate credit meter (notshown). Using the data input apparatus, the player selects the gamesymbol type(s) he wishes to wager upon. For example, there may be aplurality of symbol types such as seven and as suggested in FIG. 2.While the symbols may be anything such as numbers, letters or indiciawhich may be consistent with the game theme, for purposes ofillustration for this description, it shall be assumed that there areseven symbol types depicting gems identified by letters as set forth inTable 1 below. Thus, for the following description letters shall be usedto refer to the game symbols for simplifying the explanation.

TABLE 1 Letter Game Symbols T Diamond U Spinel V Pearl W Garnet XEmerald Y Aquamarine Z Ruby

Thus, with reference to FIG. 2, there is shown an example of how thegame symbols may be displayed at the display 18 game matrix.

The selection of the symbols to wager upon may be arranged according toa predetermined protocol such as, suggested in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Wager (units) Symbol and per symbol wager 1 T(1) 2 T(1), U(1) 3T(1), U(1), V(1) . . . 7 All symbols (1) 8 T(2), all other symbols (1) 9T(2), U(2), all other symbols (1) . . . 35 All symbols (5)

Alternatively the player can be provided with means to select symbols(without any regard to protocol) to wager upon.

Data representing the game symbols may be stored in a suitable datastructure such as a random access memory (ram), or other accessible datastorage device including a disk, compact disk or the like. The datastructure is configured to represent (1) the universe of game symbolswhich may be selected or displayed as well as distributions of eachsymbol-type within that universe such that, for any random selection,each symbol has a predetermined probability of being selected. Thisfeature may be accomplished through various known means such randomnumber selection and symbol mapping or the like. Suffice it to say thatthe processor and data structure are configured such that when game playis prompted the processor, in effect, randomly selects from the universeof game symbols, symbols for display at the game display 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display 20 may be in matrix-form having rows Rand columns C where C and R are at least 3. If FIG. 2 there is shown a3×5 matrix defining fifteen coordinates each having an address definedby the intersecting row and column. For example, symbol U, a Spinel, isat coordinate 1 (row) B (column).

After the player has set his wager on the symbols, play of the game handis prompted. The processor 20 randomly selects, assigns to coordinatesand controls the display 18 to display the initial outcome. For purposesof this description it shall be assumed that the player has wageredthree units on each of the seven symbols for a total wager of twenty-oneunits.

1. Base Game

After the player has set his desired wager, the player depresses spinbutton 26 c whereupon the game processor 20 randomly selects gamesymbols and, in effect, assigns the same into the coordinates of thematrix for display thereof. The display of the game symbols may be in afashion to simulate spinning of reels, i.e. columns C, in which symbols“fall” from the top of the screen into positions in the matrix. Thefalling symbols fill the matrix from the bottom row to the top row; andfrom left to right in the bottom row, right to left in the middle row,and left to right in the top row. Any other suitable manner of havingthe symbols fill the matrix may be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the symbol setincludes seven symbols. For each spin, the machine randomly displaysthree symbols from the symbol set on each reel (column C). Each of thesymbols is related to the theme of the game which may be a mining andprecious stones theme (i.e. rubies, diamonds, emeralds, etc.) assuggested in FIG. 2.

Upon selection, assignment and display of the game symbols into thematrix defining an initial outcome, the processor 20 compares thesymbols and their positions to determine if the initial outcome has anywinning symbol combinations for which the player is entitled to anaward. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the playerreceives awards for all contiguous symbol combinations meeting thefollowing requirements. There must be (i) 3 or more of the same symbols,e.g. Diamonds, which are (ii) arranged adjacently in vertical,horizontal or L-shaped directions or combinations thereof; (iii)starting in any column or row; (iv) using any number of symbols percolumn and (v) comprised of symbols wagered upon by the player. Theplayer, therefore, receives awards for any and all contiguous symbolcombinations in the horizontal, vertical or L-shaped directionscomprised of symbols wagered upon by the player, with each combinationawarding the pay indicated on the game's pay table times the amountwagered on that symbol.

As an example, the device and method may have a pay table according toTable 3 set forth below. It should be understood that other pay tablesmay be provided as well based upon the number of game symbol types, gamesymbol type distribution, desired game performance or the like.

TABLE 3 PAY TABLE: Symbol/Contiguous Symbols 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 T 1 2 4 816 32 64 128 U 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 V 3 6 12 24 48 96 192 384 W 4 8 1632 64 128 256 512 X 5 10 20 40 80 160 320 640 Y 6 12 24 48 96 192 384768 Z 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024

As an example of play and with reference to FIG. 2, using the lettersT-G to represent the symbols, the game displays an initial outcome thefollowing symbols:

T U W W U Y W W V Y T Z T V Y

The winning symbol combination is shown in bold and the player wouldreceive an award of 24 credits (3 units wagered×8) for a winning symbolcombination of garnets W-W-W-W. The award reflects the game pay tablewhich states that W-W-W-W, anywhere in the symbol matrix, pays 8 creditsfor each credit wagered upon the symbol; or 8 credits times 3 creditswagered by on symbol W. The game Paid meter increases to reflect the winof 24 units.

Following the award based upon the initial outcome, all of the “W”symbols in the winning symbol combination are removed and the gamedisplays the following symbols:

T U — — U Y — — X Y T Z T V Y (Removed symbols indicated by “—”.)

The remaining symbols then “slide” down the columns (slot reels) and theaame displays the followina symbols:

T — — — U Y U — X Y T Z T V Y (Sliding symbol in bold.) (Removed symbolsindicated by “—”.)

The game processor 20 then randomly selects and controls the display 18to show the newly selected symbols “dropping” into the symbol matrixfrom the top of the display 18 to reconstitute the matrix to have asymbol in each coordinate of the matrix. For example, with the newsymbols replacing the positions vacated by the removed and slidingsymbols, the matrix may have the following symbol composition:

T Y X X U Y U X X Y T Z T V Y (New symbols underlined.) (Winning symbolcombination in bold.)

The device 10 and method, awards an additional 30 credits for a newwinning symbol combination of X-X-X-X created by the reconstitution ofthe matrix. The award reflects the game pay table which states thatX-X-X-X, anywhere in the symbol matrix, pays 10 credits for each creditwagered upon the symbol; or 10 credits times 3 credits wagered. The gamepaid meter increases 30 credits from 24 to 54.

Following the award, all of the “X” symbols in the winning symbolcombination is removed and the game displays the following symbols:

T Y — — U Y U — — Y T Z T V Y (Removed symbols indicated by “—”.)

No symbols need to slide, so the game proceeds directly to thereplacement/reconstitution stage. Newly selected symbols “drop” into thesymbol matrix from the top of the display 18 and the game displays thefollowing symbols:

T Y Y Y U Y U U Y Y T Z T V Y (New symbols underlined.) (Winning symbolcombination in bold.)

The game awards an additional 144 credits for a winning symbolcombination of Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y. The “Y” symbol in symbol position C1/R2(middle of left-most column) is not part of the winning symbolcombination since it is not contiguous in either the horizontal orvertical direction to the other “Y” symbols. The award reflects the gamepay table which states that Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y, anywhere in the symbol matrix,pays 48 credits for each credit wagered upon the symbol; or 48 creditstimes 3 credits wagered on each symbol. The game paid meter increases144 credits from 54 to 198.

Following the award, all of the “Y” symbols in the winning symbolcombination are removed and the game displays the following symbols:

T — — — U Y U U — — T Z T V — (Removed symbols indicated by “—”.)

The remaining symbols then “slide” down the columns (reels) and the gamedisplays the following symbols:

T — — — — Y U U — — T Z T V U (Sliding symbol in bold.) (Removed symbolsindicated by “—”.)

New symbols selected by the processor 20 then “drop” into the symbolmatrix from the top of the display 18 and the game displays thefollowing symbols:

T U U V T Y U Z V W T Z T V U (New symbols underlined.) (Winning symbolcombination in bold.)

The game awards an additional 15 credits for winning symbol combinationsof U-U-U and V-V-V. The award reflects the game pay table for the U-U-Ucombination and the V-V-V combination, anywhere in the symbol matrix.

Following the award, all of the “U” and “V” symbols in the winningsymbol combinations are removed and the game displays the followingsymbols:

T — — — T Y — Z — W T Z T — U (Removed symbols indicated by “—”.)

No symbols need to slide, so the game proceeds directly to thereplacement/reconstitution stage. New symbols selected by the processor20 “drop” into the symbol matrix from the top of the display 18 and thegame displays the following symbols:

A W W B A F X Z V W T Z T X T (New symbols underlined.)

With no contiguous symbol combinations of three or more same symbols inthe horizontal and/or vertical direction, the game ends.

At the end of each game hand or “spin”, the player may change his betand play a new game, use the same wager and play a new game, view thehelp screen and/or the pay table, and/or cash out any credits that theplayer has accrued.

The reconstitution of the matrix may also be done by the processor 20selecting symbols and placing them directly into the matrix without theneed for sliding symbols down into position.

Further the game may also provide for horizontal sliding of game symbolsinstead of or in lieu of the vertical reposition of symbols for theremoved symbols described above.

FIG. 3 shows a logic diagram for the play of the base game. At 30 theplayer sets their wager in the amount and on the symbols desired. Asstated above there may be a predetermined protocol for setting ofwagers. At 32 the player prompts play of a hand or “spin” of the game.It should be noted that where the player wagers a maximum amount,prompting of play is automatically initiated. In response to promptingof play the processor 20 at 34 randomly selects a sufficient number ofgame symbols to fill the game matrix at the display from a datastructure 36. The data structure stores data representing the gamesymbols types, i.e. seven different types of game symbols. In order toprovide differing distributions, the data may be arranged with addresses1-N, with game symbol data at each address. The symbol data stored atthe addresses may be in the desired number of each symbol type toprovide the desired distribution of symbol types in the symbol universeof 1-n addresses, e.g. 300 Diamond symbols, 453 Ruby symbols, etc.

Alternatively, the processor 20 and data structure 36 may be configuredsuch that the processor 20 randomly selects a number from apredetermined universe of numbers and the selected number is mapped tothe data structure 36 for selection of a symbol type. By configuring themapping, each symbol type will have a predetermined probability of beingselected.

At 38 the processor 20 displays the matrix of selected game symbols andat 40 compares the symbols selected and displayed at the display 18matrix to determine if the display of the initial selection of symbolshas resulting in any winning combinations of three or more symbols. Ifthere are no winning combinations, the game is ended at 41 with noaward. If there one or more winning combinations an award is issued andat 42 the winning combinations are removed from the display and at 44the remaining symbols are slid or moved in the manner described above(if necessary) to fill the positions vacated by the removed symbols. At34 the processor 20 gets new symbols and controls at 38 the display 18to display the matrix as reconstituted. Again, at 40 the matrix istested for winning combinations. This procedure loops until, at 40,there are no more winning combinations at which time the award(s) areissued and the game is ended.

The award(s), if any, may be issued as each winning combination isdetermined or as the aggregate award at the end of the game.

As can be appreciated, the removal of the winning symbol combinationsand reconstitution of the matrix in a recursive fashion provides theplayer with multiple opportunities to obtain winning combinations andawards. Further the game provides for excitement in that the playeranticipates reconstitution resulting in new winning combinations withthe new symbols, inter se, or with pre-existing symbols.

2. Bonus Features

The Base Game of the device 10 and method of the present invention maybe provided with additional features. For example, during play of thebase games, the player may receive special pays for bonus features, suchas Wild Symbols and Scatter pays.

Wild Symbols. The data structure is provided with data representing oneor more Wild symbols which symbols replace any or all other symbols indetermining winning outcomes. Alternatively, wild symbols may onlyreplace limited subsets of the other symbols, e.g. Diamonds and Rubiesonly. Wild symbols, therefore, increase the possibility of a playerachieving winning combinations and the pay table would be reconfiguredto reflect that the wild symbols are in use.

Each wild symbol may also be used to affect pay outs that utilize one ormore wild symbols. For example, a wild symbol used in a winningcombination of symbols, may act as a multiplier to double the value ofthe winning combination. The game can also be configured so that thewild symbols increases or decreases the value of any pay out in anymanner which results in an average value that can be utilized to controlthe gaming machine's overall average pay outs. Still further the Wildfeature can be configured to apply when the Wild symbol is in a winningcombination and appears in one or more designated positions, e.g. onlywhen in columns B and D. Still further different Wild symbols may beutilized which act with all or less than all symbol types such as a Wildsymbol of Diamonds and Rubies and a different Wild symbol for the othergame symbols.

The data structure may also include data representing one or more“scatter pay” symbols. A scatter pay awards the player a predeterminedpayout for the appearance of one or more scatter symbols at the display18, or combination of scatter symbols, anywhere in the matrix or inpredetermined positions, e.g. in a column or row. Thus, if more than onescatter symbol is required to form a scatter pay, the scatter symbols inone embodiment of the invention, do not need to be located in adjacentpositions.

Scatter pays issue a specific number of credits, free spins, and/orother awards. The awards may be issued immediately or after thecompletion of a bonus feature (i.e. animation sequence or animated bonusgame). The calculation of the scatter pay award depends on the type ofscatter pay. For example, for scatter pays, the total number of creditswagered multiplies the number of credits indicated by the pay table. Forexample, a player may wager ten total credits, spin the reels, andcollect twice the amount indicated on the pay table for a scatter payappearing anywhere on the slot reels. The scatter pay award may increasebased upon the number of scatter symbols triggering the award. Forexample, two scatter pay symbols may result in an award of 2× the totalwager, with three symbols resulting in a 5× award.

The game device and method according to the present invention may alsohave the following additional or alternative features. In one embodimentthe game may include in the data structure data representing stagnantsymbols which, when selected and first positioned in the matrix, do notslide and are not removed or replaced. These stagnant symbols may beconfigured so that they cannot be included in any winning combinationand do not move thus blocking or frustrating the assembly of winningcombinations. Alternatively, the stagnant symbols may be included inwinning combinations.

In yet another embodiment, the game hand may end by one of apredetermined number of reconstitution cycles or the appearance of oneor more terminating symbols or symbol combination.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification and examples above, and thus, it is intended bythe appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of theinvention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occurto those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention. While the foregoinginvention has been described in detail by way of illustration andexample of preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, substitutions,and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: aprocessor; and a memory device that stores instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: responsive to aplacement of a wager, for a play of a game: randomly select at least twoof a plurality of symbols, cause a display of the randomly selectedsymbols at a plurality of symbol display positions, determine whethersaid displayed randomly selected symbols form any of a plurality ofwinning symbol combinations, and responsive to determining that thedisplayed randomly selected symbols form at least one of the winningsymbol combinations, for each formed winning symbol combination:independent of any player input to reposition any of the displayedrandomly selected symbols, remove at least one of the displayed randomlyselected symbols that forms that winning symbol combination, and foreach removed symbol:  select one of the plurality of symbols as areplacement for that removed symbol, and  cause a display of thatselected symbol.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executedby the processor, the instructions cause the processor to, for at leastone of any removed symbols, cause a display of a repositioning of atleast one remaining of the displayed randomly selected symbols to thesymbol display position of that removed symbol.
 3. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions causethe processor to, for at least one of any removed symbols, cause thedisplay of that selected symbol at the symbol display position of thatremoved symbol.
 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executedby the processor after causing a display of selected symbols for eachremoved symbol, the instructions cause the processor to: determinewhether said displayed selected symbols form any of the plurality ofwinning symbol combinations, and responsive to determining that thedisplayed selected symbols form at least one of the winning symbolcombinations, for each formed winning symbol combination: independent ofany player input to reposition any of the displayed selected symbols,remove at least one of the displayed selected symbols that forms thatwinning symbol combination, and for each removed symbol: select one ofthe plurality of symbols as a replacement for that removed symbol, andcause a display of that selected symbol.
 5. The gaming system of claim1, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause theprocessor to: responsive to a physical item being received via anacceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on amonetary value associated with the received physical item, andresponsive to a cashout input being received via a cashout device, causean initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.
 6. Thegaming system of claim 5, which comprises the acceptor, and the cashoutdevice.
 7. The gaming system of claim 1, which comprises a displaydevice, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions causethe processor to cause the display device to display the randomlyselected symbols at the plurality of symbol display positions.
 8. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the selected symbol for each removedsymbol comprises a randomly selected symbol.
 9. A method of operating agaming system, said method comprising: responsive to a placement of awager, for a play of a game: randomly selecting, by a processorexecuting instructions, at least two of a plurality of symbols, causinga display of the randomly selected symbols at a plurality of symboldisplay positions, determining, by the processor executing instructions,whether said displayed randomly selected symbols form any of a pluralityof winning symbol combinations, and responsive to determining that thedisplayed randomly selected symbols form at least one of the winningsymbol combinations, for each formed winning symbol combination:independent of any player input to reposition any of the displayedrandomly selected symbols, removing at least one of the displayedrandomly selected symbols that forms that winning symbol combination,and for each removed symbol: selecting, by the processor executinginstructions, one of the plurality of symbols as a replacement for thatremoved symbol, and causing a display of that selected symbol.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, which comprises, for at least one of any removedsymbols, causing a display of a repositioning of at least one remainingof the displayed randomly selected symbols to the symbol displayposition of that removed symbol.
 11. The method of claim 9, whichcomprises, for at least one of any removed symbols, causing the displayof that selected symbol at the symbol display position of that removedsymbol.
 12. The method of claim 9, which comprises, after causing adisplay of selected symbols for each removed symbol: determining, by theprocessor executing instructions, whether said displayed selectedsymbols form any of the plurality of winning symbol combinations, andresponsive to determining that the displayed selected symbols form atleast one of the winning symbol combinations, for each formed winningsymbol combination: independent of any player input to reposition any ofthe displayed selected symbols, removing at least one of the displayedselected symbols that forms that winning symbol combination, and foreach removed symbol: selecting, by the processor executing instructions,one of the plurality of symbols as a replacement for that removedsymbol, and causing a display of that selected symbol.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, wherein a credit balance is decreasable based on the placedwager, said credit balance being increasable via an acceptor of aphysical item associated with a monetary value, and said credit balancebeing decreasable via a cashout device.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the gaming system comprises the acceptor, and the cashoutdevice.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming system comprises adisplay device, and which comprises causing the processor to executeinstructions to cause the display device to display the randomlyselected symbols at the plurality of symbol display positions.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the selected symbol for each removed symbolcomprises a randomly selected symbol.
 17. The method of claim 9, whichis provided through a data network.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe data network is an internet.